ESPN is in talks with former Knick Allan Houston about becoming an NBA studio analyst, NYP TV Sports has learned.

“Yes, Allan was in for an audition,” ESPN VP Josh Krulewitz said. “We were impressed with him. The discussions we are having are centered around a potential studio role.” If Houston signs on, he is not expected to start on ESPN’s highest-profile programs but will have the chance to move up the depth chart.

Houston, 35, retired from the Knicks after playing only 20 games in 2004-05 because of chronic knee problems .

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In Week 1, former Texan GM Charley Casserly came across a little stiff as CBS’ information man. In Week 2, he was a little more relaxed.

“I was more comfortable,” Casserly said.

As a former GM, Casserly’s information is good, but it still remains to be seen if he will match Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer in terms of breaking stories.

Casserly said the best player personnel man/GM in the league is the Colts’ Bill Polian.

Though Polian has never won a Super Bowl, he led the Bills to three and the Panthers and Colts to conference championship games.

“That is an incredible record,” Casserly said.

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Tony Kornheiser has been boring so far on Monday Night Football.

As we wrote before the season, Kornheiser needs to go at Joe Theismann for the broadcast to become a must-listen.

Before the season, Theismann said he could take it.

However, on Monday night, Theismann made one of his blustery statements, saying how Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio was right to go for it on a second-quarter, fourth-and-one from the Steeler 39. After the Jaguars only tried to draw the Steelers offsides, Kornheiser called Theismann out, basically saying, “What do you say now?” A defensive Theismann said, “Geez, I’m sorry, Tony, he didn’t go for it.” If MNF’s booth is going to work, Kornheiser has to dish it and Theismann must take it.

Otherwise, it will fail.

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Throughout the season, with all the changes in NFL broadcasting, we’re going to handout some grades. Well, two grades:

Pass or Fail.

PASS: The best introduction of the lineups is on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. One player introduces the whole defense or offense. It is a good way to see a player’s personality.

Last Monday, the Steelers’ Joey Porter came off a little crazy as he imitated Dave Chappelle imitating Howard Dean’s infamous yelp. It wasn’t very funny, but it was priceless.

FAIL: While MNF’s large score clock doesn’t bother us as much as it bothers others, it should be changed because it is too distracting.

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On MSG’s Boomer Esiason Show, Patrick Ewing said he should have finished his playing career where it started.

“It was both our faults, the Knicks and my own,” Ewing said. “I should have ended my career with the Knicks.” Ewing, who has resigned as an assistant to Jeff Van Gundy in Houston, said he would consider another job, but there is nothing going on right now. Ewing said he still roots for the Knicks, but he questions Eddy Curry’s desire.

“Does he have the drive?” Ewing said. “Does he want to be greater than myself?” The show re-airs on MSG on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

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For the second straight year, TNT’s Kenny Smith will work about 20 games on MSG, filling in for Clyde Frazier.